Mudgeeraba vs Varsity Lakes

Varsity Lakes is the younger of the two, with a median age of 36 against 39 in Mudgeeraba. In both, most households own their home. In Mudgeeraba, the large majority of homes are detached houses and about half of households are couple families. On these figures, Mudgeeraba tends to suit families with children and couples, while Varsity Lakes suits people living alone.

Which one suits you?

There is no overall winner — the suburb that suits a family with school-age kids is routinely the wrong one for someone commuting into the city. So each of these answers its own question, against a checklist you can see, using the same figures in the tables below.

Families with school-age kids

Mudgeeraba

ahead on 5 of the 6 things we measure here

  • has more childcare (15 vs 6)
  • has more schools rated above their peers (1 vs 0)
  • has more separate houses rather than flats (78% vs 43%)
  • But Varsity Lakes has more parks and reserves (39 vs 26)

Weighs schools, house stock, crime, parks, childcare, and who already lives there.

First-home buyers

Too close to call

Nothing among the 3 things we measure here separates them by enough to be worth acting on.

Weighs house prices, unit prices, and mortgage stress.

Renters

Varsity Lakes

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • has a bigger rental market to choose from (44% vs 24%)

Weighs rent, rental stress, and how much is for rent.

Commuting to the city

They split

one each way, out of the 4 things we measure here

  • Mudgeeraba sits closer to the CBD (82.8 km vs 86 km)
  • Varsity Lakes is more walkable (69/100 vs 41/100)

Weighs distance, drive time, rail access, and walkability.

Downsizers and retirees

Varsity Lakes

ahead on 3 of the 5 things we measure here

  • has more units and townhouses to downsize into (57% vs 22%)
  • has more GPs (6 vs 3)
  • is more walkable (69/100 vs 41/100)
  • But Mudgeeraba carries lower crime risk (49/100 vs 59/100)

Weighs smaller dwellings, who already lives there, GPs, walkability, and crime.

Investors

Varsity Lakes

ahead on the one thing that separates them

  • returns a higher gross yield on houses (4.6% vs 3.8%)

Weighs house yield and population growth.

Where they sit

Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes drawn to the same scale. Both outlines are shown together, so the map answers whether they share a border and how their areas compare.

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Hides rows where both suburbs match

Bars start at zero. Scores, risks and rankings are drawn against their full 0–100 range; other rows are drawn in proportion to the larger of the two.

Side by side, out of 100

Risks are inverted — shown as safety and low exposure — so a longer bar always means better.

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Walkability 41 / 69
Mudgeeraba — Walkability: 41/100 Varsity Lakes — Walkability: 69/100
Safety 51 / 41
Mudgeeraba — Safety: 51/100 Varsity Lakes — Safety: 41/100
Low fire risk 100 / 100
Mudgeeraba — Low fire risk: 100/100 Varsity Lakes — Low fire risk: 100/100

Demographics

Mudgeeraba has higher household incomes ($98,436 vs $85,592); Mudgeeraba skews older (39 vs 36).

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Population 14,578 16,493
+13% vs other
Population trend (2016 → 2021) +7.0% +9.8%
Median age 39 36
Median household income $98,436/yr
+13% vs other
 $85,592/yr
Median weekly rent $500/wk
+2% vs other
 $490/wk

Age profile

Share of residents in each band, 2021 Census.

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
0-4 6.3% / 5.3%
Mudgeeraba — 0-4: 6.3% Varsity Lakes — 0-4: 5.3%
5-14 16.1% / 13.0%
Mudgeeraba — 5-14: 16.1% Varsity Lakes — 5-14: 13.0%
15-19 7.0% / 6.2%
Mudgeeraba — 15-19: 7.0% Varsity Lakes — 15-19: 6.2%
20-24 4.5% / 7.7%
Mudgeeraba — 20-24: 4.5% Varsity Lakes — 20-24: 7.7%
25-34 10.1% / 15.9%
Mudgeeraba — 25-34: 10.1% Varsity Lakes — 25-34: 15.9%
35-44 14.6% / 15.0%
Mudgeeraba — 35-44: 14.6% Varsity Lakes — 35-44: 15.0%
45-54 14.9% / 13.7%
Mudgeeraba — 45-54: 14.9% Varsity Lakes — 45-54: 13.7%
55-64 11.1% / 9.2%
Mudgeeraba — 55-64: 11.1% Varsity Lakes — 55-64: 9.2%
65-74 8.8% / 7.6%
Mudgeeraba — 65-74: 8.8% Varsity Lakes — 65-74: 7.6%
75-84 5.1% / 4.5%
Mudgeeraba — 75-84: 5.1% Varsity Lakes — 75-84: 4.5%
85+ 1.6% / 1.8%
Mudgeeraba — 85+: 1.6% Varsity Lakes — 85+: 1.8%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.1%).

Who lives together

Household composition, 2021 Census.

Mudgeeraba 52.9% couple families
Mudgeeraba — Couple Families: 52.9% Mudgeeraba — Lone Person: 20.6% Mudgeeraba — One Parent Families: 20.8% Mudgeeraba — Group Household: 4.3% Mudgeeraba — Other Families: 1.3%
Varsity Lakes 38.4% couple families
Varsity Lakes — Couple Families: 38.4% Varsity Lakes — Lone Person: 31.3% Varsity Lakes — One Parent Families: 20.1% Varsity Lakes — Group Household: 8.3% Varsity Lakes — Other Families: 1.9%
Couple Families Lone Person One Parent Families Group Household Other Families

Who owns and who rents

Occupied private dwellings by tenure, 2021 Census.

Mudgeeraba 23.8% renting
Mudgeeraba — Owned Outright: 27.3% Mudgeeraba — Mortgage: 48.9% Mudgeeraba — Renting: 23.8%
Varsity Lakes 44.3% renting
Varsity Lakes — Owned Outright: 21.4% Varsity Lakes — Mortgage: 34.3% Varsity Lakes — Renting: 44.3%
Owned outright Mortgage Renting

Qualifications

Highest non-school qualification, residents 15+, 2021 Census.

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Certificate III & IV 16.3% / 13.9%
Mudgeeraba — Certificate III & IV: 16.3% Varsity Lakes — Certificate III & IV: 13.9%
Bachelor Degree 11.6% / 15.0%
Mudgeeraba — Bachelor Degree: 11.6% Varsity Lakes — Bachelor Degree: 15.0%
Advanced Diploma / Diploma 9.0% / 9.0%
Mudgeeraba — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.0% Varsity Lakes — Advanced Diploma / Diploma: 9.0%
Postgraduate Degree 3.4% / 5.0%
Mudgeeraba — Postgraduate Degree: 3.4% Varsity Lakes — Postgraduate Degree: 5.0%
Graduate Diploma / Certificate 1.9% / 1.7%
Mudgeeraba — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.9% Varsity Lakes — Graduate Diploma / Certificate: 1.7%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (16.3%).

Where residents were born

Largest overseas birthplaces, as a share of all residents, 2021 Census. A dash means that country is not among the suburb's own eight largest.

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
New Zealand 6.4% / 6.2%
Mudgeeraba — New Zealand: 6.4% Varsity Lakes — New Zealand: 6.2%
England 6.0% / 4.2%
Mudgeeraba — England: 6.0% Varsity Lakes — England: 4.2%
China 0.9% / 3.1%
Mudgeeraba — China: 0.9% Varsity Lakes — China: 3.1%
South Africa 2.2% / 1.5%
Mudgeeraba — South Africa: 2.2% Varsity Lakes — South Africa: 1.5%
Brazil — / 1.9%
Mudgeeraba — Brazil: not among its largest Varsity Lakes — Brazil: 1.9%
Scotland 0.6% / —
Mudgeeraba — Scotland: 0.6% Varsity Lakes — Scotland: not among its largest

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (6.4%).

What people live in

Occupied private dwellings by structure, 2021 Census.

Mudgeeraba 78.0% houses
Mudgeeraba — Houses: 78.0% Mudgeeraba — Townhouses: 20.8% Mudgeeraba — Flats / Apartments: 1.1%
Varsity Lakes 42.6% houses
Varsity Lakes — Houses: 42.6% Varsity Lakes — Townhouses: 33.1% Varsity Lakes — Flats / Apartments: 24.3%
Houses Townhouses Flats / Apartments

Property market

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Median house price $1,311,000 $1,310,000
Median unit price $833,500 $820,000
Median land price $2,110,000 —
Typical days to sell (houses) 28 days
from 133 sales
 22 days
from 121 sales

House price by bedroom count

Only bed counts both suburbs published enough sales for. Sale counts are shown because the buckets differ in depth.

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
3 bed $1.21M / $1.19M
Mudgeeraba — 3 bed: $1.21M (97 sales) Varsity Lakes — 3 bed: $1.19M (113 sales)

97 vs 113 sales

4 bed $1.36M / $1.43M
Mudgeeraba — 4 bed: $1.36M (136 sales) Varsity Lakes — 4 bed: $1.43M (94 sales)

136 vs 94 sales

5 bed $1.66M / $1.73M
Mudgeeraba — 5 bed: $1.66M (31 sales) Varsity Lakes — 5 bed: $1.73M (13 sales)

31 vs 13 sales

Development activity

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
New dwellings approved 7,196
across Gold Coast
same for both
Approvals change year on year -35%
same for both

Gross rental yield

Gross — before strata, rates, management, insurance and vacancy. From median advertised rents and median asking prices over the last 6 months. How we calculate.

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Houses 3.8%
$955/wk on $1.3M
 4.6%
$950/wk on $1.08M
Units — 4.6%
$795/wk on $899K

Ranking within QLD

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
House price —
same for both
Income Higher than 73% of QLD Higher than 59% of QLD
Schools Higher than 49% of QLD Higher than 43% of QLD
Walkability Higher than 85% of QLD Higher than 92% of QLD
Affordability —
same for both
EV adoption Higher than 89% of QLD Higher than 91% of QLD
NBN connectivity Higher than 86% of QLD Higher than 80% of QLD
Rental yield (houses) Higher than 42% of QLD Higher than 79% of QLD
Rental yield (units) — Higher than 56% of QLD

Liveability

Varsity Lakes is more walkable (69 vs 41); Mudgeeraba scores higher overall (61 vs 55).

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Grade B
same for both
Score 61/100 55/100
Socio-economic band advantaged area
decile 7/10
same for both

Risk profile

Varsity Lakes carries more crime risk (59 vs 49).

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Bushfire None
0/100
same for both
Crime Moderate
49/100
 Moderate
59/100
Flood —
same for both
Coastal erosion None
0/100
same for both
Aircraft noise None
0/100
same for both
Industrial facilities nearby 0
within 5 km
 8
within 5 km

Schools

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Inside the suburb 6 4
Rated above peers 1 0
Rated at peers 3 1
Rated below peers 0
same for both
Universities within 10 km 1
Gold Coast campus, 5.0 km
 1
Gold Coast campus, 2.7 km
Full-time students aged 15–24 1.7% 3.6%

Schools in Mudgeeraba

  • Clover Hill State School Government · Primary above peers
  • Mudgeeraba Creek State School Government · Primary at peers
  • Mudgeeraba State School Government · Primary at peers
  • Somerset College Independent · Combined at peers
  • Sophia Waldorf School Independent · Primary
  • Mudgeeraba Special School Government · Combined · Special school

Schools in Varsity Lakes

  • Varsity College Government · Combined at peers
  • Arcadia College - Varsity Lakes Temporary Facility Independent · Secondary
  • Mastery Schools Australia - Varsity Lakes Campus Independent · Combined
  • Mastery Schools Australia - Varsity Lakes Secondary Temporary Facility Independent · Secondary

Amenities in the suburb

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Supermarkets 3
same for both
Cafes & restaurants 9 14
Parks & reserves 26 39
Childcare 15 6
GPs 3 6
Pharmacies 2
same for both
Police stations 1 0
Banks & Bank@Post 1 2
Fuel stations 3 2
EV chargers 1 0
Waterways 8 23

Mobility

Varsity Lakes sits further from the CBD (86 km vs 82.8 km).

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Walkability score 41/100 69/100
Distance to Brisbane 82.8 km 86 km
+4% vs other
Drive time (normal traffic) 65 min 67 min
Public transport score 72/100
Bus
 79/100
Rail · Bus
Peak arrivals per hour 27.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
 142.8
7-9am + 5-7pm
Median peak wait 1 min
scheduled, not actual
 0 min
scheduled, not actual
Electric vehicle share 1.4%
postcode 4213
 1.6%
postcode 4227
Rooftop solar per 100 dwellings 85
postcode 4213
 50
postcode 4227

How people get to work

Method of travel on census day 2021 — which fell during COVID restrictions, so working from home is inflated and every travel mode understated.

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Car (driver) 76.2% / 72.7%
Mudgeeraba — Car (driver): 76.2% Varsity Lakes — Car (driver): 72.7%
Worked from Home 16.4% / 16.3%
Mudgeeraba — Worked from Home: 16.4% Varsity Lakes — Worked from Home: 16.3%
Car (passenger) 4.3% / 5.1%
Mudgeeraba — Car (passenger): 4.3% Varsity Lakes — Car (passenger): 5.1%
Walked Only 1.3% / 2.3%
Mudgeeraba — Walked Only: 1.3% Varsity Lakes — Walked Only: 2.3%
Bus 0.7% / 1.5%
Mudgeeraba — Bus: 0.7% Varsity Lakes — Bus: 1.5%
Train 0.9% / 1.0%
Mudgeeraba — Train: 0.9% Varsity Lakes — Train: 1.0%

Bars are drawn against the largest share shown (76.2%).

Setting

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Elevation 70 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
 10 m
above sea level, at the suburb centre
Distance to the ocean 9.9 km 3.9 km
3.9 km to a named beach

NBN connectivity

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Connectivity score 75/100 71/100
Most common technology Fibre to the premises Fibre to the node
Full-fibre (FTTP) share 37%
5,777 premises
 30%
6,705 premises

Climate

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Annual rainfall 1,556 mm 1,637 mm
Summer max (Jan) 28.7°C 28.6°C
Winter min (Jul) 10.8°C 10.5°C

Air quality (annual mean)

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
PM2.5 5.4 µg/m³ 4.9 µg/m³
PM10 19.3 µg/m³ 14.3 µg/m³
NO₂ 0.91 pphm 0.43 pphm

Council rates

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Average residential rate $1,298/yr
same for both
Council Gold Coast
same for both

Federal electorate

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Division Wright McPherson
Member Scott Buchholz Leon Rebello
Party Liberal National Party of Queensland
same for both

First Home Owner Grant

Mudgeeraba Varsity Lakes
Grant amount $30,000
same for both
Property price cap $750,000
same for both
Eligibility New
same for both

Tags

Mudgeeraba

Family Regional Centre Townhouses

Varsity Lakes

Parks Regional Centre River Townhouses

More comparisons

Other comparisons with Mudgeeraba

Mudgeeraba vs Robina Mudgeeraba vs Reedy Creek Mudgeeraba vs Merrimac Mudgeeraba vs Worongary Mudgeeraba vs Bonogin Mudgeeraba vs Tallai

Other comparisons with Varsity Lakes

Varsity Lakes vs Robina Varsity Lakes vs Burleigh Waters Varsity Lakes vs Burleigh Heads Varsity Lakes vs Reedy Creek
Full data on Mudgeeraba Full data on Varsity Lakes
Unlock full address-level data — $29/month

Information shown is provided as-is from Australian government and commercial data sources.
Always verify with the relevant authority before making property decisions.
See Data Sources and How We Calculate for details.

Save this page for later

We'll email you a link to this page so you can finish reading it on any device. We use your address once to send it and don't keep it.

or